FolkWest would like to thank everyone who helped make the third annual Mountain Chile Cha Cha a huge success: our many volunteers who served chile, poured beer, emptied trash cans, set up and cleaned up; our sponsors who helped cover costs for the free event; Jacque Aragon who stepped up and did a fantastic job running the first-ever Patty Aragon Green Chile Classic; our green chile judges — Bob Hart, Ruth Vance, Charmain Smith, Ross Aragon and Susie Kleckner; Morgan Murri and his terrific group of volunteers who put on an amazing trail race; Joanne Irons, Paul Donharl, Bear Bolhouse, Mark Brown and Casey Caves, who eased our load significantly; the musicians, vendors, chile cooks and everyone who came and had a great time. See you next September!

Sincerely,

Dan Appenzeller, Crista Munro and the board of directors of FolkWest

GECKO

Dear Fellow Pagosans:

Thanks to your tremendous support and participation, our first annual Mountain Chile Cha Cha trail race was a sizzling success; 105 runners toed the line Saturday to begin what would quickly be recognized as a challenging and beautiful course. Hard to imagine just steps from downtown.

Runners ranged in ages from 19-month-old Owen Hull to 72-year-old, 15-mile finisher, Ross Westley. Of the 105 participants, 57 were Pagosans and 48 came to visit from Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Florida.

The participation of volunteers was just as inspiring. From our crew that has been involved for months, practicing timing sessions, setting up aide stations and raising sponsorship money, to guys like Ben who showed up injured and couldn’t run, but wanted to pitch in and helped direct traffic and cheer on his fellow locals.

Perhaps best of all we raised money critical to the success of our locally-based charity, GECKO, and provided a $500 fund for the Pagosa High School PAC (Pagosa Achievement Program) kids.

Congratulations to local 15-mile champions Annie Sewell and J.D. Kurz, each of whom took home a $300 check from GECKO. Fitting, as we are kid-focused and Annie and Patrick are new parents and J.D. and Hope will be in a few weeks!

We are very proud to be Pagosans and of the support we continue to receive from this community.

Sincerely,

Morgan and Nancy Murri

Co-founders

GECKO

Skeeter

Thank you to all who participated in caring for our black mouthed cur while he was lost up Four Mile Road. We are so grateful to have him home.